Baseball

2016 MLB Draft: 17 college players selected in first round

The 2016 Major League Baseball Draft began on Thursday in Secaucus, New Jersey and will run through Saturday June 11. A total of 17 NCAA players were selected throughout the first night and Louisville led with three players.

The Cincinnati Reds selected Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel with the No. 2 overall pick. Regarded as one of the best hitters in this year's draft class, Senzel completed a three-year career in Knoxville with a .332 career average and a .508 slugging percentage. During his junior season, Senzel finished with 74 hits, 59 RBI and a .352 batting average.

Louisville outfielder Corey Ray became the second NCAA player taken with the Brewers' No. 5 overall pick. His speed has come in handy for the Cardinals with his 44 stolen bases, and he is currently hitting .325. Ray and the Cardinals will face UC Santa Barbara in the Super Regionals on Saturday.

The Oakland Athletics added Florida pitcher A.J. Puk with the sixth overall pick. In his 70 innings pitched this season, Puk has struck out 95 batters and has allowed 25 earned runs for a 3.21 ERA. The Gators will look toward Puk in the super regionals against Florida State.

Stanford pitcher Cal Quantrill went eighth overall to the San Diego Padres and became the 31st first round pick in program history. Quantrill finished his Cardinal career with a 2.57 ERA and 118 strikeouts.

The Chicago White Sox selected Miami (Fla.) catcher Zack Colllns with the No. 10 pick. The junior leads Division I with 69 walks this season and ranks top five in on-base percentage. Collins and the Hurricanes will face Boston College in the first Super Regional game on Friday at 5 p.m. ET.